TAX COMMISSIONER URGES FILING EARLY, ELECTRONICALLY

BISMARCK, N.D. – Tax season has arrived and Tax Commissioner Cory Fong is encouraging taxpayers to file early and file electronically to receive a refund quickly.

“E-file is clearly the preferred method for taxpayers to file their individual income tax return. Last year, nearly 60 percent of North Dakota’s taxpayers filed electronically,” said Fong. “We encourage taxpayers who have not yet taken advantage of the electronic filing option to consider doing so this year."

For the fifth year, North Dakota is again participating in the Free File Alliance. Through the Free File Alliance, certain online companies offer free on-line filing services to qualified North Dakota taxpayers. Companies listed on the Tax Department web site offer to prepare and file tax returns free for North Dakota taxpayers who meet certain criteria. The criteria can vary among companies and is usually based on factors such as age, military status, or adjusted gross income. To be sure taxpayers are accessing a company that supports North Dakota’s forms, they are encouraged to access the sites listed on the Tax Department’s web site at http://www.nd.gov/tax/.

“Taxpayers will find a number of free e-file services listed on the Department’s web site at http://www.nd.gov/tax/,” said Fong.

The North Dakota Tax Department’s web site features links to free e-file services that support the North Dakota forms. And, for those taxpayers who might not qualify for free e-file services, the department’s site provides links to other tax preparation sites that do include North Dakota’s forms in their products.

In North Dakota, taxpayers can electronically file their state and federal return together by:

Using a personal computer with an Internet connection to access one of the online services listed on the North Dakota Tax Department’s web site, http://www.nd.gov/tax/;

Purchasing and using one of the tax preparation software products available in retail stores locally; or,

Having a professional tax preparer file electronically for them.

“E-file is convenient, secure, easy to use, and it reduces errors and speeds processing,” said Fong. “Taxpayers who e-file enjoy the benefit of faster refunds and direct deposit.”

Processing delays can result when data is missing or entered incorrectly. Electronic filing sends the data directly to the processing system, which avoids any potential keying errors that can occur under the conventional processing of paper returns.

For more information about electronic filing taxpayers are encouraged to refer to their 2007 state income tax booklet, talk to their tax preparer, visit the North Dakota Tax Department’s web site at http://www.nd.gov/tax/, or call (701) 328-3450.